Black Library Advent Calendar 2017

Series · 22

books · 2017

By Nick Kyme, Charles Werner, David Annandale, and more

Books in series

Perturabo

Stone and Iron

2017

A Primarchs audio drama During the Great Crusade, Primarch Perturabo leads a newly raised unit of his Iron Warriors in battle, teaching them the difference between stone and iron – with the Imperial Fists unwitting tutors. The 33rd Grand Battalion of the Iron Warriors, newly raised and seeing battle for the first time, have the honour of the primarch himself, Perturabo, leading them. But the Hammer of Olympia is there for more than just battle – he is evaluating his new officers and deciding their fates. And with a force of Imperial Fists allied to their cause, Perturabo sees the perfect opportunity to teach his new warriors the difference between the stone of the VII Legion and the Iron of his own.

Endurance

2017

A handful of Space Marines and Astra Militarum defend a dying world against the walking dead… but things are about to get worse, for the Death Guard are coming. Lystra is a hive world, with a population of billions… or at least it was. Now Lystra is a corpse, overrun by the walking dead, with just a small force of Astra Militarum and a handful of Space Marines defending against the numberless horde. Exhausted and an inch away from destruction, they hold against the tide… but things are about to get worse, for the Death Guard have noticed Lystra.

Doombound

2017

Seeking a return to their comrades, a pair of Stormcast Eternals are lost in the twisting maze of Shadespire. Hunted by the Khorne Bloodbound and facing visions of another time and place, can the Liberators survive, or will they be claimed by the city of the dead? In the cursed city of Shadespire, two Stormcast Eternals Liberators, Darras Sunblade and Erak Grimwatch, seek a way to rejoin their comrades in Severin Steelheart's company. However, the twisting and ever-changing maze of the dead city thwarts them at every turn – and Grimwatch has his own troubles as flashes of another life take him. Mortal danger stalks them, as a warrior of the Khorne Bloodbound, also suffering visions of an impossible past, seeks to take their skulls for his bloodthirsty god… Running time: 23 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Ken Bradshaw, Tim Bruce, Jonathan Keeble and Luis Soto.

Duty Waits

2017

As Terra awaits the inevitable assault by Horus' armies, Imperial Fists patrols find their greatest day to day challenges come from dealing with the heightened defences and with civilians unhappy with the new focus on war. On Terra, the Imperial Palace awaits war. Since the Alpha Legion infiltrated the mighty structure, the Imperial Fists have upped their patrols, defences have been tightened and the planet prepares for the coming of Horus. Four primarchs stand ready to defend the Throneworld. But the enemy do not come. As the situation worsens and morale drops, Captain Maximus Thane and his company are forced to deal with a civilian riot – with tragic consequences.

Ahriman

Key of Infinity

2017

Thousand Sons sorcerer Ahzek Ahriman studies an ancient construct of the necrontyr race – but the necron is studying him right back, and has plans of its own… On the warship Messenger of Hermes, Ahzek Ahriman and his servant Ignis study a most unusual prisoner – a metal construct containing the consciousness of a member of a long extinct race – the necrontyr. As they interrogate the necron Setekh, he is also learning about them – over and over again as he uses ancient techonology to relive the moment and plot his escape. Will he succeed, or will Ahriman prevail? Written by John French. Running time: 18 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Steve Conlin Jonathan Keeble and Saul Reichlin.

Gods' Gift

2017

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar story Lord-Castellant Hamilcar Bear-Eater, leading a hunt in the enemy-haunted Gorwoods, has dreams that he deems prophetic – dreams that might derail his mission… or aid it. READ IT BECAUSE Hamilcar Bear-Eater returns, and this time he's having prophetic dreams. There's no way that's going to lead to trouble… THE STORY Hamilcar Bear-Eater, famed Lord-Castellant of the Astral Templars, leads the hunt for a deadly creature in the untamed Gorwoods of the Realm of Beasts. But when strange dreams come to Hamilcar that he thinks are prophecy, his mission becomes muddied. Will he heed the call of the Oak, or continue the hunt? And if he chooses the former, will it doom the mortal woodsman his warriors aid to a grisly death? Or could the dreams be the key to completing his mission?

Magisterium

2017

Devastated from the Webway War, the remnants of the Custodian Guard prepare for the coming of Horus. But as they rearm and adapt to their changed circumstances, conflict brews with the Imperium's Lord Commander… The Webway War is over, the Custodian Guard devastated by the daemonic hordes that flooded the lower reaches of the Imperial Palace. Constantin Valdor, commander of the Emperor's Guard, stands at the head of his fellows, but in conflict with the Lord Commander of the Imperium, the primarch Rogal Dorn. And it is not the first time Valdor, the Emperor's magisterium, has found himself pitted against a primarch. His memories of Prospero are all too fresh…

The Assassination of Gabriel Seth

2017

A Flesh Tearers audio drama Gabriel Seth, Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, has made many enemies in his long years defending the Imperium – and now they plot against him, planning his death. But Seth will not be taken down so easily… THE STORY For many long years, Gabriel Seth has led the Flesh Tearers to war. Master of a dwindling Chapter, he has made many enemies in his unceasing battle to keep his warriors alive – and now those enemies conspire against him, luring him to a remote world in order to end his leadership and life in the most violent and bloody way possible; Gabriel Seth is to be assassinated. But can even an Eversor Assassin kill one of the deadliest warriors in the entire Imperium? Written by Andy Smillie. Running time: 23 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Tim Bruce, Steve Conlin and Andrew Wincott.

Now Peals Midnight

2017

Night is falling. The greatest darkness in Terra's history is coming. Rogal Dorn and his fellows look to the skies, as they await the coming of Horus. And he is near… Midnight is coming. For long years, the defenders of Terra have stood sentinel, awaiting the inevitable: the coming of the Warmaster, the traitor Horus and his horde. For Rogal Dorn, his brother primarchs and his loyal sons – among the billions of others awaiting the breaking of the storm – the wait is almost over. The sun is setting and night falling. And the enemy comes.

#10

The Witch Takers

2017

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar story Tracking the stolen contents of a Chaos warrior's tomb, a pair of Sigmarite witch hunters are drawn into a deadly conflict that leads to bloodshed and damnation. READ IT BECAUSE It's a look at the witch hunters of Azyr in the Mortal Realms, and at the ways in which the Dark Gods spread their influence over the innocent and peaceful. THE STORY Amidst the metal sands of the blazing deserts of Droost, a pair of witch hunters from the Order of Azyr discover the looted tomb of a champion of the Dark Gods – a tomb that is missing an ancient and dangerous artefact. As the pair set out to find who took the relic and see it destroyed, they find a trail of devastation and carnage – and daemonic trickery. Led to a peaceful oasis in the heart of the desert, the witch takers are drawn into a deadly conflict that will lead to untold bloodshed and damnation…

#11

Heart of Decay

2017

Two heroes of the Relictors Space Marine Chapter interrogate a prisoner – a hideous servant of the Dark Gods, a Traitor Astartes of the Death Guard. The Relictors Space Marine Chapter are renowned for gathering artefacts of Chaos and delving into the secrets of the Dark Gods. Captain Vidarna and Apothecary Achaon are tasked with the interrogation – and torture if necessary – of a captured prisoner, a warrior of the Death Guard. After ten thousand years of war and corruption, what secrets might he yield? The pair attempt to find out, with hideous results. Running time 28 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Matthew Hunt and Toby Longworth.

#12

Dreams of Unity

2017

A Thunder Warrior, fighting in the gladiatorial pits, is drawn into a deadly battle between two vicious predators – one of them a Custodian Guard. It has been many long years since the fall of the Thunder Warriors. After the last battles of Unity, the legions of genhanced warriors were slaughtered by the Emperor's Custodian Guard on the Master of Mankind's orders. But a handful survived… Now one of the last few Thunder Warriors gets caught up in dangerous events that engulf the Throneworld – even as he is hunted by one of the Emperor's praetorians.

#14

Malcador

First Lord of the Imperium

2017

Malcador the Sigillite sits vigil by the bed of a dying friend and the two discuss the past, present and future – and revelations are made. As the Horus Heresy rages and the death toll rises, one more will be added to the numberless dead: Sibel Niasta, personal astropath to the First Lord of the Imperium, Malcador the Sigillite. As her end approaches, Malcador sits vigil by her bedside, and pair discuss their friendship and what it means – how the past and present have shaped Malcador and the Imperium, and what the future holds. Running time: 25 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Beth Chalmers, Jenny Funnell, Jonathan Keeble and Toby Longworth.

#16

A Place of Reflection

2017

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama Moribus of the Sons of Mallus seeks a deadly foe in the labyrinths of Shadespire. But in a land of shattered glass and twisted reflections, can he trust what he sees – or even his own memories? THE STORY Moribus, Stormcast Eternals Decimator of the Sons of Mallus, wanders the glass labyrinths of Shadespire, alone. Somewhere out of sight, his brothers can be heard, and together they search for a dangerous creature, a malignant spirit that haunts this wasteland. This foe carries a cache of shardglass, which Sigmar hopes can cure the Stormcast Eternals of the degradations that come with their reforging. As Moribus remembers his many deaths to focus his mind, he begins to doubt his senses and reality – and danger beckons. Written by David Guymer Running time: 20 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Tim Bruce, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Melvyn Rawlinson and Andrew Wincott.

#17

A Brother's Confession

2017

On board the Ultramarines vessel Spear of Macragge, in transit through the warp, Primaris Space Marine Apothecary Polixis has a confession to make. In the Chapel of the Dioskuri, he kneels before Chaplain Castor, black-clad and implacable, and tells a tale that could damn him to death, or perhaps save his soul: the story of how he killed his battle-brother, Artimaeus Tulio of the Fulminata. Read it Because It's a story showing the way the Primaris Space Marines interact and how they view the common folk of humanity that they defend.

#18

The Rage of Asmodai

2017

A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama Captain Vidarna of the Relictors finds a mission to capture a Chaos artefact complicated by Dark Angels Chaplain Asmodai, who has his own sinister mission. THE STORY Captain Vidarna of the Relictors leads a squad of his brothers in pursuit of a dark artefact on a world riven by heresy. But the appearance of Chaplain Asmodai of the Dark Angels changes his mission. The Dark Angel claims to have the relic they seek – but to claim it, the Relictors need to aid him in capturing the leader of the rebellion, a mysterious black-armoured Space Marine whose armour bears symbols similar to that of the Dark Angels themselves… Written by C Z Dunn Running time: 25 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Steve Conlin, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth and Saul Reichlin.

#19

The Tainted Axe

2017

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar story A wounded knight is tasked with a great mission: to retrieve a Chaos-tainted axe from the heart of the Writhing Weald. With corruption and darkness around him, he sets out to face his destiny. READ IT BECAUSE It's a sequel to the novel Spear of Shadows, continuing the tale of Sir Roggen as he returns home for respite and finds himself drawn into another dark mission. THE STORY Sir Roggen of the Order of the Furrow, a knight dedicated to Alarielle herself, returns to the Realm of Life after a mission for the smith god Grungni that has left him physically and mentally scarred. Tasked with a new mission by a capricious Branchwych, he travels to the heart of the Writhing Weald, a twisted and dangerous place haunted by malign spirits, to retrieve a weapon of Chaos, wielded by a servant of the Plague God and capable of spreading corruption even abandoned and alone. And there he will face a great darkness…

#20

Fireheart

2017

A Warhammer 40,000 story With the aid of Nuadhu Fireheart, the hero of Craftworld Saim Hann, the Ynnari venture onto an ancient world in search of the last of the Croneswords that will bring about the birth of their god. THE STORY The clans of Craftworld Saim Hann gather in council, but it is the outsider in their midst who draws the most attention – and ire. Druthkhala Shadowspite, once a soulthief of the Dark City, now serves Yvraine, the Emissary of the Death God Ynnead – and she asks much of the Saim Hann people. Only one would grant her wish for an expedition to the world of Agarimethea, where one of the ancient Croneswords may lie. So Nuadhu Fireheart and the Ynnari embark on a mission that could change all their fates…

#21

The Dance of the Skulls

2017

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar story Invited to a ball in her honour by the queen of a neighbouring kingdom, Neferata, Nagash's Mortarch of Blood, senses danger… but none are more dangerous than she. READ IT BECAUSE Neferata is a fascinating character, with a history stretching back to the World That Was, and David Annandale gets his teeth into a tale of her subtlety and charm… and deadly skills. THE STORY Even in Shyish, the Realm of Death, civil war between great powers is common. Neferata, Mortarch of Blood, rules the kingdom of Nulahmia, but jealous neighbours vie for power and glory in open war, and in subtler ways… Invited to a ball in her honour by Queen Ahalaset of Mortannis, Neferata knows that she enters a nest of vipers, with danger lurking in every shadowed corner. But the ancient vampire will prove that no danger is greater than that she poses to those who would try and see her fall.

#22

Konrad Curze

A Lesson in Darkness

2017

A Primarchs audio drama A world refuses unity, preferring to remain free of mankind's Imperium. But that cannot be tolerated. And so the Night Lords arrive to take the peaceful planet by force… THE STORY Piamen is a tranquil world in the far reaches of the galaxy. Since throwing off the yoke of alien invaders, they have remained free and peaceful… until the coming of the Imperium. When they refuse to join mankind's star-spanning empire, a force of Legiones Astartes is despatched to bring the planet to compliance. And when the Night Lords come, darkness falls. Piamen will never be the same… Written by Ian St Martin Running time: 27 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Beth Chalmers, Matthew Hunt, Jonathan Keeble and Toby Longworth.

#23

The Board is Set

2017

Malcador the Sigillite is troubled. The war fleets of the traitor Horus approach, and war on the Throneworld is inevitable. But with the Emperor on the Golden Throne, keeping the darkness beneath the Palace at bay, how can even the assembled might of three Space Marine Legions stand against the fury to come? Communing with the Emperor, Malcador plays out a wargame, musing on the key pieces and the unorthodox strategies that may be required to secure victory – and at what role he might play in the battles to come. Read it Because It's a startling insight into the relationship between the Emperor and the Sigillite, and shows just how aware they each are of the sacrifices that will be required to end the Heresy and bring peace to the Imperium.

#24

The Autumn Prince

2017

A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama An aelven wanderer prince seeks to wrest the secret of cheating death from one of the Katophranes in Shadespire. But why does a nigh-immortal aelf seek power over death? THE STORY Lured into the cursed city of Shadespire by the promise of the secret of cheating death, the aelf wanderer Prince Maesa seeks the Katophrane Thanaton. Surrounded by the spirits of the dead who cannot die, trapped in the last moments before the city's destruction, Maesa nears his goal… but just why does a nigh-immortal aelf seek this power over death? Written by Guy Haley Running time: 28 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Beth Chalmers, Matthew Hunt, Jonathan Keeble and Toby Longworth.

Authors

Nick Kyme

Author · 73 books

Nick Kyme (b. 1977) writes mostly for Black Library. His credits include the popular Salamanders series and several audio dramas.

Christian Dunn, sometimes credited as C.Z. Dunn, is a senior editor for Black Library. Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Guy Haley is the author of over 40 novels and novellas. His original fiction includes Crash, Champion of Mars, and the Richards and Klein, Dreaming Cities, and the Gates of the World series (as K M McKinley). However, he is best known as a prolific contributor to Games Workshop's Black Library imprint, and has sold over 1 million books set in their Warhammer universes.

John French

Author · 65 books

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

L.J. Goulding

Author · 17 books

L. J. Goulding is a British novelist, scriptwriter and editor, living and working in Los Angeles, California. His credits include 'League of Legends: Realms of Runeterra', the Black Library audio dramas 'Malcador: First Lord of the Imperium', 'The Heart of the Pharos', 'Scythes of the Emperor: Daedalus', and 'Mortarion's Heart', the novel 'Slaughter at Giant's Coffin', and many short stories for publishers in the UK and US.

Robbie MacNiven

Author · 27 books

Robbie MacNiven is a Scottish author and historian. His published fiction includes over a dozen novels, many fantasy or sci-fi works for IPs such as Warhammer 40,000 and Marvel's X-Men. He has also written two novellas, numerous short stories and audio dramas, has worked on narrative and character dialogue for multiple digital games (SMITE: Blitz and Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground), has written the colour text for multiple RPG rulebooks and has penned the scripts for two graphic novels and two comics, for Osprey Publishing and Commando Comics respectively. In 2022 his X-Men novel "First Team" won a Scribe Award. On the non-fiction front, Robbie specialises in Early Modern military history, particularly focussing on the 18th century. He has a PhD in American Revolutionary War massacres from the University of Edinburgh - where he won the Compton Prize for American History - and an MLitt in War Studies from the University of Glasgow. Along with numerous articles for military history magazines he has written four books on different aspects of the American Revolutionary War, three for Osprey Publishing and the latest for Helion Books. He has also written the scripts for eight episodes of the hit YouTube educational channel Extra Credits. Outside of work and writing, his passions include re-enacting, gaming, and following Rangers FC home and away.

Joshua Reynolds

Author · 83 books

Josh Reynolds’ work has previously appeared in such anthologies as Historical Lovecraft from Innsmouth Free Press and Horror for the Holidays from Miskatonic River Press, and his novel, Knight of the Blazing Sun, is currently available from Black Library. He can be found at: http://joshuamreynolds.wordpress.com Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Chris Wraight

Author · 70 books

Chris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction. His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting. He is based in the south-west of England.